Airbnb is fighting San Francisco with political tactics and trumpeting polls that show how popular it is

As Airbnb prepares for its legal battle with the city of San
Francisco on Thursday, the home-sharing service is pressing its
case in the court of public opinion.

The internet startup, which is
valued at $30 billion, is trumpeting new research that it
claims prove the public is on its side.

A poll commissioned by Airbnb and conducted by David
Binder Research, shows that 69% of likely San Francisco voters
support allowing residents to rent out their homes through
Airbnb, according to the results shared with Business Insider.

Of the 500 people polled representing likely November voters, 54%
thought Airbnb was a good thing for the city of San Francisco
compared to 27% who thought it was bad for the city.

The indicated public support from San Francisco
residents comes at a time when Airbnb is squaring off with
the city of San Francisco in court and as local government
officials throughout the country have raised concerns that the
home-sharing service is skirting regulations and depriving cities
of tax revenue.

San Francisco first passed short term rental
regulations in early 2015, but its city supervisors have
been intent on revising it. A ballot measure
in November threatened to pass even stricter rules
against the company, but failed to garner public support. In
early June, San Francisco once again pushed forward with
more regulation, essentially backing Airbnb into a corner
where it had to either comply with tougher rental
legislation or face daily fines.

Savior of the middle class

The new legislation requires that Airbnb list on its website only
properties that are in compliance and have a registration
number. Supervisor David Campos, who put forth the
legislation, likened it to a rental-car company requiring a
driver's license to operate.

The parties will face off at a court hearing on Thursday to
determine whether the city of San Francisco can enforce the
regulation.

Airbnb has positioned itself as a savior for the middle class in
San Francisco, a city that's one of the most expensive in
the country and faces a housing shortage. 79% of the likely
voters supported Airbnb's claims that it "helps San
Francisco residents earn an extra few thousand dollars per year
to help cover expenses," according to the new survey. Only 16%
disagreed with the notion.

The survey results echo Airbnb's position that it helps San
Francisco residents and isn't a negative for the city.

"Home sharing helps thousands of San Franciscans earn extra
income to pay their bills and their rent," an Airbnb spokesperson
said in an emailed statement. "We look forward to working with
the city on rules for home sharing that work."